Service Academy Trio Plays In Hula Bowl

While you were off watching the season premier of "24" I was carefully evaluating the play of the three service academy players in this year's Hula Bowl (its all good, that show is a sellout to political correctness anyways). As you know, Navy's David Mahoney, Army's Cason Shrode, and Air Force's Gilberto Perez all saw time in the game, which was watched by some 23 people in person. The game was something of a snooze fest, but not to worry, I took stream-of-conscience notes on the Service Academy players.

• On the second play of the game Dave piles on. Sweet.
• Dave makes a solid solo tackle on an underneath route early.
• As usual, Navy's 5'9 linebacker has a lot of emotion. I love it how he's always jumping up and down and hitting his guys on the head. Enthusiastic but classy.
• Shrode, Perez, and Mahoney are all playing together, for what that's worth.
• Cason Shrode recovered a fumble on a punt but the play was negated by a penalty. The announcer doesn't even mention Shrode's name. This is a reoccurring theme throughout the broadcast. Bummer.
• I like the way Shrode plays. He's tough and hard-nosed and just gritty, not the fastest guy and not the most athletic, he plays like a West Point linebacker should, and is having a decent game.
• Apparently, Gilberto Perez is playing in this game. Talk about a non-factor...
• Dave made a really nice one-armed tackle late in the third quarter, although gets no credit what-so-ever from the announcers. Of all of the positive aspects of his game I think the part that gets most overlooked his his ability to shed blocks and pursue the ball-carrier.
• I'll be honest, by the start of the fourth quarter I'm watching comedy central and only checking back periodically on the game. I go to bed with three minutes left to play. Basically, I missed David Mahoney recover a fumble to set up a winning score for his team. Again, bummer.

Well, there you have it. I don't think any of these three players really have a shot at the NFL, but that shouldn't matter. David Mahoney will always be remembered as the best 5'9 outside linebacker EVER while Cason Shrode and Gilberto Perez will always be known as hard-nosed players who unfortunately played on some not-so-great teams.